Thematic Analysis of Smokers’ Attitudes Towards Lung Cancer Screening Using Spiral Ct Scanning

Abstract

Farheen Ahmed

Background: Spiral CT scanning can be used to screen current smokers who may be at higher risk of developing lung cancer. However, there is little understanding on whether smokers would be more likely to attend for lung cancer screening if this option were available.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews with nine at-risk smokers were conducted.

Results: The results of the thematic analysis showed that though most participants displayed a positive attitude towards lung cancer screening, they seemed to identify more with the barriers than the facilitators and would therefore not attend for screening. Two themes were identified: (1) Smokers’ beliefs and misconceptions and (2) Fear of screening outcomes. These encompassed participant’s lower cancer risk perceptions, fatalistic beliefs, lack of trust in health professionals and their fears associated with being screened and receiving a cancer diagnosis.

Conclusion: Therefore, in order to maximize screening uptake, greater focus is needed on understanding how these barriers affect smokers’ decision-making processes before investment into a national screening program is made.

PDF